10 Great Long Island Burger Bars

Most businesses with a kitchen serve burgers, but burger bars kick it up a notch. They have a few tricks up their sleeves mixing unique ingredients with picture-worthy presentations. These 10 Long Island burger bars elevate hamburgers from basic pub grub to specialty dishes.

BBD’s—standing for “Beers Burgers Desserts”—is always packed because of its sensational food. Take your tastebuds for a spin with the steamed burger over chopped onions or the steakhouse burger built from prime, dry-aged beef. Phone: 631-849-1620 | Address: 49 Route 25AClick to chomp

Deep Water Bar & Grille, Greenport

The North Fork’s hottest hamlet has lots of spots with hipster cred, including this casual bi-level bar and restaurant with amazing bay views. Burger-wise, it has a standard angus selection and a smoked gouda BBQ offering. But for a sneaky-yet-amazing bite, the 5 alarm burger with jalapeño, red onion relish and chipotle mayo is a champion. Phone: 631-333-2168 | Address: 47 Front StreetClick to chomp

Vauxhall, Huntington

It makes sense that a pub named after a Morrissey album—the English singer is a strong promoter of veganism—would have vegan items. But don’t fear the green: Vauxhall makes some tasty cow-free burgers. The black bean sweet potato burger arrives with avocado and confit tomato and there is a delicious chickpea edamame burger with tomato, hummus and pistachio tahini. Phone: 631-425-0222 | Address: 26 Clinton AvenueClick to chomp

Rumba, Hampton Bays

If you remember the days of CPI, Foggy Goggle and Neptune’s—forget that noise. Hampton Bays is no longer an affordable nightlife branch of the Hamptons, but crowds still flock for fun at this waterside spot. Rumba’s chef-driven menu has a tuna burger dressed in wasabi mayonnaise and rémoulade sauce and the cheeseburger in paradise made with cheddar, mayo and mustard. Phone: 631-594-3544 | Address: 43 Canoe Place RoadClick to chomp

New York Burger Bar, Massapequa

image: facebook.com/pg/nyburgerbar

The feel at New York Burger Bar is casual but neat, good for after-work, watching games and, oh yeah, burgers. Diners can build their own from a list of ingredients or try a menu option. And when in the hamlet that spawned Jerry Seinfeld and the Baldwin brothers, go for the Massapequa mac attack topped with fried mac & cheese. Phone: 516-799-9199 | Address: 4225 Merrick RoadClick to chomp

Parlay, Rockville Centre

This gastropub is located in RVC, which means it has nightlife in its DNA. The bar scene gets busy, but food is also a priority (including brunch). Among its choice patty plates is the blue burger with both crumbled blue cheese and blue cheese dressing. Phone: 516-442-2600 | Address: 210 Merrick RoadClick to chomp

Charlie Meaney’s, Valley Stream

CM’s is full of locals and mainstream personality. It’s still friendly to all comers, and it certainly knows how to whip up a burger. The angry eagle, the spartan and the South falcon are all excellent offerings—and they take their names from Valley Stream high school mascots. Phone: 516-596-2337 | Address: 52 Central CtClick to chomp

At Amity Ales, diners can just as easily fill up on a delish salad as they can on wings. But those searching for a unique burger are in luck. Taste the bruno burger made with bacon, cheddar and peanut butter. It’s similar to the hot kung pao burger, but it won’t burn the tastebuds. Phone: 631-464-4646 | Address: 192 BroadwayClick to chomp

McCann’s Pub & Grill, Massapequa

There are monitors all over the place making McCann’s one of Long Island’s undisputed sports bar champs. And just as the bar is stuffed with TVs, the place likes to stuff the burgers with cheese. If you’ve never had a cheeseburger cooked as such, you really need to give it a whirl because it works. Phone: 516-798-1496 | Address: 5590 Merrick RoadClick to chomp